It’s been more than 50 years since Edward R. Murrow sat down each week for his fluffiest prime time news show, interviewing celebrities from their homes.
Now “Person to Person” (CBS, 8 p.m.) is back, hosted by Charlie Rose, who is already helping out on “CBS This Morning” since last month, along the Lara Logan, the network’s esteemed foreign and war correspondent.
Their first guests are along those snared by Murrow (and later, Charles Collingwood) such as Elizabeth Taylor, Dean Martin and Liberace – and less like the others they interviewed, Sen. John F. Kennedy, John Steinbeck or Margaret Mead, who also appeared.
There was originally a controversy over giving interview subjects their questions in advance. But that’s not the case with the revival, which will interview George Clooney and Jon Bon Jovi in their respective homes, and Warren Buffett from his office.
Of them all, it was Clooney who may have the closest connection to Murrow – he co-wrote, acted and directed the 2005 movie based on the journalist, “Good Night, and Good Luck.”
The other new primetime newsmagazine, “Rock Center with Brian Williams” (NBC, 9 p.m.) moves to a new day and time with its own shout back to the early 60s. Meredith Vieira reports on the story of a woman who said she had an 18-month affair with then President John F. Kennedy. Mimi Alford, now a 69-year-old grandmother, is spilling the tale in a new book “Once Upon a Secret: My Affair with President John F. Kennedy and Its Aftermath.”
Raccoons have certainly made themselves at home in the Northern U.S., particularly the cities, according to a new report on “Nova” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings). “Raccoon Nation” was shot with the use of night-vision cameras and raccoon-proof radio collars that tracked their surprising movement.
It’s followed by a second “Nova” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) about the conjoined Bangladeshi twins Trishna and Krishna, who were separated in Australia.
Finally, the season finale of “Inside Nature’s Giants” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings) includes a dissection of a tiger and lion.
Auditions have finally wrapped up on “American Idol” (Fox, 8 p.m.), opening the door of two nights of Hollywood Week, in which they promise tears, breakdowns and fainting.
“Mistresses” (BBC, 10 p.m.) closes shop for good with possible acrimony among the four central women.
“Happy Endings” (ABC, 9:30 p.m.) is one of the first sitcoms to throw a Valentine’s episode.
William Devane guest stars on a new episode of “Revenge” (ABC, 10 p.m.); Dean Cain guests on “Criminal Minds” (CBS, 9 p.m.); Michael McKean, obert Klein and Miranda Lambert are all on a new “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (NBC, 10 p.m.), with Harry Connick Jr. still sticking around.
Huey Lewis plays Wendie Malick’s ex-boyfriend on a new “Hot in Cleveland” (TV Land, 10 p.m.). But the best “Are You There, Chelsea?” (NBC, 8:30 p.m.) can muster is Seth Meyer’s brother Josh.
Phil gets a new business partner in Greg Kinnear on “Modern Family” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
If you wanted to meet your dad for the first time, wouldn’t you do it in a flash mob dance audition – especially one hosted by Howie Mandel on “Mobbed” (Fox, 9 p.m.)?
The Midwest is the locale for the Oscar movies on Turner Classic Movies tonight, with “State Fair” (8 p.m.), “Bye Bye Birdie” (9:45 p.m.), “The Music Man” (11:45 p.m.), “One Potato, Two Potato” (2:30 a.m.) and “The Man with the Golden Arm” (4:15 a.m.).
Duke at North Carolina (ESPN, 9 p.m.) is usually a huge rivalry in college basketball.
In the NHL, it’s Bruins at Sabres (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa: Denzel Washington, Justin Tuck, Vanessa Hudgens, Michael Strahan. The View: Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Andie MacDowell. The Talk: Bret Michaels, Eric Braeden, Wayne Brady, Moll Anderson, NeNe Leakes. Ellen DeGeneres: Julie Bowen, Josh Hutcherson, the Band Perry. Wendy Williams: Howie Mandel, Mark McGrath. Rosie O’Donnell: Chelsea Handler.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Ryan Reynolds, Ellie Kemper, Dierks Bentley. Jay Leno: Chris Pine, Lisa Lampanelli, Anthony Hamilton. Jimmy Kimmel: Josh Hutcherson, Nathan Fillion, Far East Movement. Jimmy Fallon: Vanessa Hudgens, Of Montreal. Craig Ferguson: Christina Applegate, Brad Goreski. Carson Daly: Freddie Roach, Danny Brown, Ed Sheeran. Jon Stewart: Jonathan Macey (rerun). Stephen Colbert: Christiane Amanpour (rerun). Conan O’Brien: Marti Short, Jon Bernthal, Dr. Dog. Chelsea Handler: The Wanted, John Caparulo, Mo Mandel, Arden Myrin.